Imitation fish eggs

ABSTRACT

Imitation fish eggs are provided wherein granules of cross-linked polyacrylamide are hydrated to form globules that can be placed in fine netting and tied and twisted to form imitation egg sacs. The egg sacs can then be attached to a fishing hook and used for bait. The globules can be made any desired color by including food coloring or other suitable dye.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not applicable. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to artificial fishing lures and bait.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fish eggs, and specifically clusters of fish eggs known as egg sacs, roe bags, or spawn bags, are known to be good bait for catching freshwater game fish. Harvested natural fish eggs are often used as bait and can be tied in fine netting to form egg sacs. However, many locations do not allow the use of natural fish eggs due to the risk of spreading diseases and/or unwanted species to the lakes, rivers and streams being fished. In addition, natural fish eggs have a relatively short shelf life. Therefore, artificial or imitation fish eggs have been developed. These are often made of rubber or soft plastic materials. However, imitation eggs of these materials may be indigestible to fish and can harm them if swallowed. (Many people who fish follow catch and release policies and in many locations such policies are required.) Therefore, what is needed is a simulated egg bait that is effective at attracting fish strikes, less harmful to fish if ingested, and environmentally benign.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an imitation egg sac formed with fine netting containing globules of hydrated cross-linked polyacrylamide.

It is a further object of the invention to provide the imitation egg sacs in a variety of colors and sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a collection of globules.

FIG. 2 depicts prior art fine netting.

FIG. 3 depicts an imitation egg sac of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts an imitation egg sac of the present invention attached to a fishing hook.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The improved imitation fish egg bait of the present invention can be prepared using appropriately sized water absorbing granules such as cross-linked polyacrylamide granules. Granules that can be used in the present invention may be obtained, for example, from JRM Chemical Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio, which sells a product known as SoilMoist Granules. Any amount can be prepared but for a single fishing expedition one teaspoon of granules would generally be more than sufficient. Water is added to the teaspoon of granules and allowed to be absorbed until the granules have expanded to become roughly fish egg sized globules, which may take about an hour. In addition, preferably, a non-toxic dye such as food coloring may be mixed with the water prior to combining with the granules such that the globules when formed will have an appropriate hue, for instance giving the globules a translucent reddish-pink, yellow or orange appearance.

Once the globules 1 as seen in FIG. 1 are formed they can be placed in a suitable container, such as a hard plastic container 2, and stored for several weeks or months, preferably in a refrigerator. When ready to use, a small number of globules 1, anywhere from a few up to thirty or more, can be placed on a piece of egg spawn netting 3, which can be found in any of a variety of bait shops, stores and websites. The netting is then drawn into a ball by putting the edges together and twisted until the globules are squeezed together inside the netting, at which point the netting is tied using string, thread or other suitable securing technique to form an imitation egg sac 4.

The imitation egg sac 4 can be stored or used immediately. In use, the egg sac 4 is placed onto a fishing hook 5 as shown in FIG. 4. The imitation egg sac can be placed on any manner or variety of fish hooks, including treble hooks, lures and jigs. When a fish strikes the imitation egg sac 4 of the present invention, the globules 1 may disperse out of the spawn netting 3 and/or break into smaller pieces, which may tend to be passed more easily by a fish if swallowed. 

1. An imitation egg sac for fishing bait comprising: hydrated cross-linked polyacrylamide granules; and netting, wherein the hydrated granules are tied tightly in the netting so as to resemble a ball of fish eggs.
 2. The bait of claim 1 further wherein dye is included in the hydrated granules.
 3. The bait of claim 1 further wherein at least some of the hydrated granules are sized in order to resemble fresh water fish eggs.
 4. A method of preparing an imitation egg sac for fishing, the steps comprising: adding a sufficient amount of water to cross-linked polyacrylamide granules to form gel-like globules; placing the globules on netting; tying the netting to form a ball of the globules; and skewering the ball on a fish hook.
 5. The method of claim 4 further including the step of: adding dye to the water.
 6. Artificial bait comprising: spawn netting; and a plurality of colored globules formed from dye and hydrated cross-linked polyacrylamide granules, wherein the globules are wrapped tightly in the netting and tied off such that the globules in the netting resemble a spawn sac. 